Hand enclosure for ski poles

ABSTRACT

An enclosure dimensioned to receive a skier&#39;&#39;s gloved hand and containing a hand grip secured to a ski pole, the grip being removably or permanently secured at its ends to the top and bottom of the enclosure so that a skier may insert his gloved hand around the grip and clench his fist.

[ 1 July 17, 1973 United States Patent 1 Shipstad [54] ENCLOSURE FOR SKI POLES FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [76] Inventor: Donald R. Shipstad, 4929 Matilija Ave., Sherman Oaks, Calif. 91403 Mar. 19,197]

Norway...........t.... 9/1912 [22] Filed:

[21] Appl. 01 ,076 Primary Exam iner fienjamin Hersh Assistant Examiner-Milton L. Smith zen/i115? H, 11.37 B,

[58 1 Field of Search gloved ski pole,

y secured at its osure so that a grip and H 5 h t 5 7 w W 5 u 4 m 7 n T. W l 6 m H 2 m I. dA D N M S 1 mTm l mAw E rT 7 .mSC no 1 E% w .1... NH 8 2 U 2 6 7 6 5 .1.

10 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures L w rl .m h. h C n k C nHH 77 NH O0 008 22 2,650,361 f 9/1953 Grothe'et 3,218,089 11/1965 Marchandm. 3,565,451 2/1971 Giambazi V PATENIEDJUL 1 1 ms SHEE'I 1 0F 2 M9 m FmS m e A f w HAND ENCLOSURE FOR SKI POLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Ski poles are customarily provided with a hand grip and a looped strap secured to the hand grip. In use, the strap is looped about the skiers wrist toprevent loss of the ski pole should the skier relax his grip. The strap is,

however, a nuisance. It is necessarily rather large so that it can be removed in an emergency; but, being large, often a skier will clamp a portion of the strap be tween the hand grip and his fist. Even though the skier will have gloves on,,the side edges of the strap may press locally into the surface of the hand to interfer with blood flow, with attendant discomfort.

Although a skiers hand is protected from the surrounding cold air by a ski glove, the movement of the hands through the air, as the skier walks with the aid of the ski poles, or more particularly, as he is traveling at high speed downhill, increases the dissipation of heat from the hand. Also, the very fact of tightly gripping the hand grip, reduces circulation so that the supply of heat energy is reduced. As a result, even though the skier may wear heavy gloves, his hands often become excessively chilled. I

SUMMARY, OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to. an enclosure which fits over askiers hand and contains a ski pole grip, the invention being summarized in the following objects: I

First, to provide a hand enclosureand ski pole grip whicheliminates the need of a ski pole strap, and also permits the skier to flexand unflex his hand to improve circulation, while providing increased heat insulation.

Second, to provide a hand enclosure and ski pole grip wherein the ski pole grip may be permanently mounted in the enclosure or may be arrangedfor removal there from, and, in particular, may be arranged so that its upper end may be disconnected by internal pressure exerted by the hand so as to aidin emergency removal of thehand from the enclosure.

Third, toprovide a hand enclosure and ski pole grip, one, embodiment of which includes a fluted wristband so arranged as to fold close about the wrist, but free'to expand to facilitate removal of the enclosure.

Fourth, to provide a hand enclosure, an embodiment of which is longitudinally divided, except for its extremity, the divided portions normally overlapping, but separable. l

Fifth, to provide a hand enclosure, an embodiment of which is provided with adjustable venting means to permit air circulation if needed to reduce the temperature within the enclosure.

, DESCRIPTION ()F'THE DRAWINGS FIG. 6 is an end View, showing a further modified form of the hand enclosure for ski poles.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view thereof, taken through 7-7 of FIG. 6, the view being rotated ninety degrees.

FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view, taken through 88 of FIG. 9, showing a still further modified form of the hand enclosure for ski poles.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof, taken through 9-9 of FIG.8.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the hand enclosure, with the hand grip omitted, taken through 10-10 of FIG. 9, with the two parts of the hand enclosure shown folded outwardly from each other.

FIG. 11 is a similar fragmentary sectional view, show ing the two parts joined together.

FIG. 12 is an end view of a further embodiment of the hand enclosure.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken through 13-43 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken through 14-14 of FIG. 13. I

Reference is first directed to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The hand enclosure includes an enclosure member 1 formed of pliable material, preferably plastic, which may have elastomeric properties. The material may be non-porous or include a porous core; that is, the midportion of the material may be porous, but the surface is preferably non-porous. The embodiment shown in FIGS. ,1, 2 and 3 may be molded in a single piece, or two pieces fused together to function as a single piece.

The enclosure includes a first encompassing portion 2, conforming approximately to the shape of a clenched fist, and a wrist encompassing portion 3 extending therefrom and terminating in an access opening 4. At the bottom of the fist encompassing portion is a recessed opening 5, and depending from the upper side of the fist encompassing portion in alignment with the opening 5 is a retainer boss 6.

The enclosure receives a hand grip 7, having an up wardly extending ski pole socket 8, which receives an end of a'ski pole 9. The upper end of the hand grip is provided with a recess 10, which receives a screw 11, adapted to be screwthreaded into the upper end of the ski pole 9 so that the hand grip may be fixed to the ski pole. Other conventional means of attachment, such as adhesive material, may be used. The lower end of the hand grip, that is, the end from which the ski pole 9 extends,-is provided with a flange 12, which conforms to the recessed portion of the opening 5. Above the flange is a groove 13, which receives the margins of the opening 5 so that the hand grip may be removablysecured in the opening 5. The recessed upper end of the hand grip receives the retainer boss 6.

The hand grip 7 is provided with finger recesses 14, and otherwise contoured to fit confortably within the clenched, gloved handof a skier, as indicated by broken lines in FIGS. 1' and 3. The hand grip is offset, as indicated inFIGS. 2 and 3, so that the palm of the hand may fit one side and the fingers the other. Also, sufl'lcientspace is provided between theglove worn by the skier and the walls of the enclosure so that the skier may readily insert his hand to grip the hand grip, or remove his hand therefrom. Ideally, the enclosure would be molded to fit the individual skiersgloved hand, but this, of course, is impractical; therefore, clearance between the glove and the enclosure must be such as to fit a range of sizes. As the spacing between the glove and the enclosure decreases, ability to extract ones hand also decreases. However, the retainer boss 6 and recess 10 may be so proportioned that a sudden pull on the hand grip with respect to the enclosure, permits the hand grip to tilt, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1, facilitating the removal of the hand.

Should the skier prefer, however, the ends of the hand grip may be permanently attached by adhesive to the enclosure. Also, if desired, the screw 11 may extend through the top of the enclosure into the ski pole.

Reference is directed to FIGS. 4 and 5, which illustrate a modified embodiment of the hand enclosure. In this case, the lower side of the enclosure between the access opening 4 and the recessed opening 5 is slit and the sides of the slit extend to form overlapping margins 16. One or more snap fasteners 17 secure the margins 16 together. In addition, if desired, a pull tab 18 may be provided. With this arrangement, if force is applied in a direction to move the hand grip toward the access opening, the overlapping margins 16 twist to accommodate the hand grip and as the hand grip approaches the snap fastener 17, the force is in a direction to cause the parts of the snap fastener todisengage.

- Reference is now directed to FIGS. 6 and 7. In this construction, the hand grip 7 may be the same as in the first described structure. However, the enclosure 19 includes .a spherical fist encompassing portion 20, in which the hand grip is centered, and a fluted wrist encompassing portion 21 extending therefrom. The flutes may take various shapes, but in any case, are radially yieldable to permit insertion or withdrawal of a gloved hand.

i Reference is now directed to FIGS. l2, l3 and 14'. This construction adds to the construction shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a means for providing ventilation through the enclosure. Due to the fact that the temperatures vary over wide ranges onthe ski slopes, conditions can develop in which some circulation within the enclosureis desirable. This may be accomplished by providing a retainer boss 22 at the closed end of the enclosure. The retainer boss is provided with a polygonal shank 23 and receives a rotatable semi-spherical disc 24 conforming to the fist encompassing portion 20. The disc, like the enclosure, is formed of plastic material with sufiicient elastomeric qualities that it may be snapped from one position to another about the shank 23. The portion of the enclosure underlying the disc 24 is provided with perforations 25, which may be aligned or misaligned with respect to perforations 26 provided in the disc.

Reference is now directed to FIGS. 8, 9, l0 and 11. The enclosure 27 here illustrated is formed of two complementary portions 28, having flat ends 29, having a foldable connection 30.

When the portions 28 are folded into complementary relation, they form fist encompassing subportions 31 and wrist encompassing subportions 32, having overlapping bottom margins 33 and overlapping top margins 34. The bottom and top margins have, respectively, retainer openings 35 and 36, capable of occupying a coaxial position. The enclosure 27 receives a hand grip 37, similar to the hand grip 7. The hand grip 37 is provided with a bottom groove 38 which receives the lower retainer opening'35 and a top groove 39 which receives the upper retainer opening 36. The grooves may be relatively deep or shallow, depending upon the force intended to be used to separate the hand grip from the enclosure 27. Still further, if desired, the hand grip 37 may be cemented in place. Conversely, if it is desired to facilitate separation of the hand grip from the enclosure, the overlapping margins may be arranged as indicated inFlGS. 4 and 5, permitting the retainer openings 35 and 36 to be split apart. Also, as in FIGS. 4 and 5, one or more snap fasteners I7 may be provided.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it is not intended to limit the same to the details of the constructions set forth, but instead, the invention embraces such changes, modifications and equivalents of the various parts and their relationships as come within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An enclosure for a skiers hand, and intended also to receive an end of a ski pole, the enclosure comprisa. a flexible enclosure member dimensioned to cover and enclose a skiers hand and permit the skiers hand to assume a clenched position;

b. a hand grip completely traversing the enclosure member internally thereof and secured at its ends to the enclosure member, the space within the enclosure member surrounding the hand grip being dimensioned to permit free insertion of the skiers hand and clenching of the skiers hand about the hand grip, and'free removal of the skiers hand whereby the enclosure member may be quickly discarded;

. the hand grip having a bore therethrough closed at one end substantially flush with said enclosure and open at its other end externally of the enclosure member for receiving an end of a ski pole in the hand grip while the hand grip remains secured in the enclosure member.

2. An enclosure, as defined in claim I, wherein the enclosure and hand grip are permanently joined.

3. An enclosure, as defined in claim 1, wherein the enclosure and hand grip are separably connected. I

4. An enclosure, as defined in claim 1, wherein the enclosure is shaped in approximate conformity to a skiers gloved hand when clenched to, form a fist, and the hand grip is offset from the center of the enclosure.

5. An enclosure, as defined in claim I, wherein the enclosure includes an attaching means engageable with the extended end of the ski grip.

6. An enclosure, as defined in claim 5, wherein the attaching means is forcibly detachable by the skiers hand to permit angular movement of the hand grip with respect to the enclosure.

7. Means for attachment to a ski pole for protection of a skiers gloved hand, said means comprising:

a. a hand grip fitting having a socket closed at one end receiving an end of a ski pole, the hand grip having a first attachment element at its end from which the ski pole extends and a second attachment element at its extended end;

b. and a yieldable enclosure member having an access opening to receive a skiers gloved hand, and a first and a second attachment means cooperating respectively with the first and second attachment elements, the enclosure being dimensioned to contain a skiers hand when clenched about the hand grip.

6 8. A protecting means, as defined in claim 7, angular movement of the hand grip with respect to wherein: the enclosure.

a. the attachment elements and attachment means 10. A protecting means, as defined in claim 7,

are bonded together. wherein: 9. A protecting means, as defined in claim 7, 5 a. the enclosure is shaped in approximate conformity wherein: to a skiers gloved hand when clenched, and the a. the second attachment element is separable by a hand grip is offset from the center of the enclosure.

force applied internally of the enclosure, to permit 

1. An enclosure for a skier''s hand, and intended also to receive an end of a ski pole, the enclosure comprising: a. a flexible enclosure member dimensioned to cover and enclose a skier''s hand and permit the skier''s hand to assume a clenched position; b. a hand grip coMpletely traversing the enclosure member internally thereof and secured at its ends to the enclosure member, the space within the enclosure member surrounding the hand grip being dimensioned to permit free insertion of the skier''s hand and clenching of the skier''s hand about the hand grip, and free removal of the skier''s hand whereby the enclosure member may be quickly discarded; c. the hand grip having a bore therethrough closed at one end substantially flush with said enclosure and open at its other end externally of the enclosure member for receiving an end of a ski pole in the hand grip while the hand grip remains secured in the enclosure member.
 2. An enclosure, as defined in claim 1, wherein the enclosure and hand grip are permanently joined.
 3. An enclosure, as defined in claim 1, wherein the enclosure and hand grip are separably connected.
 4. An enclosure, as defined in claim 1, wherein the enclosure is shaped in approximate conformity to a skier''s gloved hand when clenched to form a fist, and the hand grip is offset from the center of the enclosure.
 5. An enclosure, as defined in claim 1, wherein the enclosure includes an attaching means engageable with the extended end of the ski grip.
 6. An enclosure, as defined in claim 5, wherein the attaching means is forcibly detachable by the skier''s hand to permit angular movement of the hand grip with respect to the enclosure.
 7. Means for attachment to a ski pole for protection of a skier''s gloved hand, said means comprising: a. a hand grip fitting having a socket closed at one end receiving an end of a ski pole, the hand grip having a first attachment element at its end from which the ski pole extends and a second attachment element at its extended end; b. and a yieldable enclosure member having an access opening to receive a skier''s gloved hand, and a first and a second attachment means cooperating respectively with the first and second attachment elements, the enclosure being dimensioned to contain a skier''s hand when clenched about the hand grip.
 8. A protecting means, as defined in claim 7, wherein: a. the attachment elements and attachment means are bonded together.
 9. A protecting means, as defined in claim 7, wherein: a. the second attachment element is separable by a force applied internally of the enclosure, to permit angular movement of the hand grip with respect to the enclosure.
 10. A protecting means, as defined in claim 7, wherein: a. the enclosure is shaped in approximate conformity to a skier''s gloved hand when clenched, and the hand grip is offset from the center of the enclosure. 